Coral bells (Heuchera) earn their place in the garden with foliage first and flowers second. Hundreds of varieties and hybrids offer leaves in green, purple, amber, silver, and near-black, and the plants form tidy mounds with a woody crown at the base and rounded, lobed, hairy leaves that stay evergreen or semi-evergreen depending on the […]
Neighborhood dogs treat a well-kept yard as an extension of their own territory. They dig under fences, trample planting beds, and leave urine burns on the lawn, and the damage repeats because the routine reinforces itself. Homeowners typically notice the same entry point and the same time of day each visit, which makes the problem
St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a warm-season turf native to North America, grown mainly in warm to hot, tropical climates. It forms dense mats that crowd out weeds, handles more shade than other warm-season grasses, and tolerates salt, which makes it a first choice for coastal lawns. It belongs to the Poaceae family and
Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a perennial that goes by many names: gordaldo, poor man’s pepper, and thousand leaf. In the southwestern United States it is called plumajillo, Spanish for “little feather,” a nod to the feathery shape and lacy texture of its aromatic leaves. Yarrow can top 3 feet in a growing season and
The citronella plant sold at garden centers is a scented geranium, not a grass. Its large, wrinkled, lacy green leaves carry a strong lemony scent, and pink or purple flowers open in summer above a bushy plant that spreads about 2 feet tall and wide. Gardeners value it for that citrus perfume and for its
Houseplants bring color and cleaner air indoors, but they also attract a predictable set of pests: spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, and thrips are the most common. Growers reach for sprays first, yet most plant experts agree prevention beats treatment, and one popular prevention claim says certain plants repel insects with their scent. The claim is
Most species of myoporum grow in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 11, and the genus holds about 30 flowering plants in the figwort (Scrophulariaceae) family. Several of those species form a fast-growing, prostrate ground cover that stays low, green, and dense, which is why landscape professionals in hot, dry regions recommend it as a lawn
A lawn that looks clean in March can be covered in crabgrass and dandelions by June unless the first weed applications land at the right moment. Spray too early and the product breaks down before the weeds germinate; spray too late and the weeds are already established. The calendar depends on your grass type, the
A furnished patio turns even a small yard into a place worth using, but the sticker prices on many outdoor furniture sets send shoppers back inside. Budget-friendly options exist, and the difference between a set that lasts two seasons and one that lasts ten usually comes down to three decisions: material, fit, and storage. Materials
Spring brings the first flush of green to lawns and flower beds, and with it the first weeds of the season. Many of the most common ones bloom yellow: dandelions, creeping buttercups, and yellow woodsorrel appear almost overnight. That color is worth understanding before you reach for a shovel or a spray bottle. The same
